Automatic tooth brush holder



Dec.

E. J. BROWN E AUTOMATIC TOOTH BRUSH HOLDER Filed Dec. 19, 1958 INVENTOR. E RNE 8 T J BROWNE United States Patent 2,917,182 Patented Dec. 15, 1959 AUTOMATIC TOOTH BRUSH HOLDER Ernest J. Browne, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of onetenth to Gadget-Of-The-Month Club, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application December 19, 1958, Serial No. 781,508

Claims. (Cl. 211-65) This invention relates to fixtures and more particularly to bathroom fixtures.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wall fixture for bathrooms that will slidably support a pair of toothbrushes for reciprocating longitudinal movement so as to automatically position one toothbrush for the next use following the replacement of the other toothbrush, whereby a dry toothbrush is constantly available in an outwardly directed position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic toothbrush holder of the above type which will automatically indicate, by the positions of the respective toothbrushes, which toothbrush is next ready for use so that the toothbrushes are permitted to dry thoroughly in between successive uses thereof.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an automatic toothbrush holder bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and eflicient in operation. 1

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following.

detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automatic toothbrush holder made in accordance with the present invention in operative use;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the toothbrush holder shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the toothbrush holder shown in Figure 2.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, an automatic toothbrush holder made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a main shelf 18 having a depending mounting lug 12 secured to any stationary object 16, such as by screws 14.

The main shelf 18 is provided with a pair of substantially identical parallel slots 20a, b that open in an outward direction. The shelf 18 also is provided with a pair of abutments 22 adjacent to the outermost extremities of the slots 20a, b and partially restrict the opening into such slots. A gusset 24 extends between the main shelf 18 and the securement lug 12 to reinforce the joint or connection thereof and to generally rigidify the entire unit. A lever 27 pivotally mounted, by means of a pin 28 to the underside of the main shelf. 18 intermediate the slots 20a, b has a pair of arms 26a, b that underlie each of the slots 200, b respectively.

In actual use, a pair of toothbrushes 341a, b are placed upon the shelf 18, one in sliding engagement in each of the respective slots 20a, b, such being angled into the partially constricted outer opening thereof. When one of the toothbrushes is removed for use and then later replaced, the inward movement of such toothbrush against the adjacent outer end of the lever 27, causes outward movement of the opposite end of such lever so as to push the other one of the toothbrushes in an outward direction toward abutment with the associated projection 22. Thus, the toothbrush just used is in the innermost position and the toothbrush that is ready for the next use is in the outwardly extended position. This provides a visual indication to the user that the innermost toothbrush may not be thoroughly dry and that the outermost toothbrush is most likely to be properly and thoroughly dried for the next brushing operation. When such toothbrush is removed and then subsequently replaced, the inward movement thereof automatically causes the lever 27 to move the other or first one of the toothbrushes outwardly again into the next use position. Because of this automatic control, the thoroughly dried and stifi toothbrush is practically assured each time the teeth are brushed, particularly in humid climates where the drying process is ordinarily slow.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A toothbrush holder comprising, in combination, a main shelf, a depending lug having means for attachment to a stationary object, said shelf defining a pair of parallel outwardly opening slots slidably receiving each one of the pair of toothbrushes therewithin, and lever means controlling the movement of said toothbrushes within said slots, said lever means effecting movement of one of said toothbrushes outwardly in response to inward movement of the other one of said toothbrushes.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means comprises a pair of screws extending through said lug.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said main shelf defines a pair of abutments each adjacent to the outermost extremity of one of said slots extending partly into the path of movement of said respective toothbrushes.

4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said lever means comprises a cross bar centrally pivotally connected to said main shelf intermediate said slots, and the opposite ends of said lever projecting into the path of movement of said toothbrushes.

5. The combination according to claim 4, further comprising a gusset extending between said shelf and said lug and rigidifying the connection therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,544,694 Speidel July 7, 1925 2,232,171 Fleenor Feb. 18, 1941 2,441,678 Tietje May 18, 1948 

